Out with the old, in with the new equipment at school

The Alta-Aurelia School Board moved to purchase a new photocopier, building signage and snow blower, get rid of unused equipment and raise its spending authority at Monday’s meeting.

The board moved to purchase a Ricoh photocopier machine for $9,682. Presentations from salesmen were given for a much-needed new copier at the elementary school, which has seen multiple service attempts to patch it up this semester in its old age. The new purchase will be part of an effort to get the school on a purchase cycle for its machines to graduate the cost of the purchases.

With similar costs presented for both options, Superintendent Lynn Evans recommended selecting an option with a better service contract. A bid for a Canon machine was cheaper upfront, but with unknown annual increases that could have made it more expensive.

The new machine is guaranteed to last for five years, with parts available for seven years after discontinuation of the product, even with the elementary school’s high volume usage of 67,000 copies per month printed. The school’s monthly payment for the machine and its service will drop from $679 to well under $300.

The signs project was also wrapped up, with the board voting to install “gym entrance” signs on the south side of the high school and the east side of Aurelia’s building. The sign will be complete with the Warriors logo. Cost for the signs with the cost of labor will come to $4,665 from Pilot Rock. Installation should be complete by the end of the year.

A new walk-behind snow blower will also be purchased, just in time for winter. Currently, all snow is removed by hand on the sidewalks. An 8-horsepower, 26-inch Toro machine will be used for the schools’ needs.

The school will also be disposing of an old soft serve machine in storage at Alta.

The board has submitted an application to the School Budget Review Committee for additional allowable growth, increasing enrollment of $255,000, and $8,912 for English Language Learner students beyond five years. This action is for increased spending authority, not cash.

The Physical Plan and Equipment Levy, scheduled to sunset at the end of the fiscal year in June, will be reviewed soon for a renewal vote. The vote will not affect any change or new tax. The levy is set by the district to cover the cost of equipment and other brick-and-mortar purchases that exceed $500.